Needless to say when everyone else that lived in the Haruno House found out what had happened to Sakura they were practically seething with rage and Shisui had to be knocked out so he wouldn't go storming off to rescue Sakura.

"They said they'd return her right, so maybe they don't have bad intentions" Naruto chimed in trying to be optimistic about the situation while also forcing back the tears that were pricking harshly at his eyes.

Itachi as much an advocate of peace as he was had to agree "Naruto is right, should they not return her however that is when regardless of their warning we will get her back no matter the cost" Itachi added.

Which ultimately reigned in the others 'Please Kami-sama look after my daughter and bring her home when the time is right' Mebuki prayed inwardly to herself, seated on the couch next to her husband, squeezing his hand tightly in fear and hope.

Kizashi the joker was the quietest anyone had ever seen the man "Sakura will come back to us I know it so we just have to be patient, she'll give em hell to if she has to" Kizashi finally cracked a joke filling them with a small relief, most of them anyway.

Except for Sasuke who knew there was a couple more people he needed to tell about what had happened "I uh…I'm going to tell Shino and Shibi-sensei" Sasuke winced, forcing himself to move even though he'd made up his mind, his body seemed like it was stuck in place.

But ever so slowly he got himself out the door, trudging reluctantly towards the Aburame Compound "You don't have to tell us Sasuke, Hokage-sama already explained" Shibi said as he opened the door to find his student on the other side.

Looking like he'd lost the most important person in his life, might as well have since Sakura had been his friend since they were six that's seven years, five of which had been spent with them as close as siblings so of course Sasuke would feel her absence painfully.

"H..Hows Shino taking the news" Sasuke inquired hesitantly since Shino hadn't answered the door, Shibi grimaced behind his high coat collar but let Sasuke in, gesturing him up the stairs in the general direction of his son's room.

Sasuke visibly flinched when he got nothing but silence and when he entered Shino's room all he could sense was overwhelming despair "Sasuke why her, why did it have to be her" Shino sounded so unlike himself for once.

His friend didn't have an answer for him "There's hope and you know Sakura, she's a fighter Shino, she'll do whatever she has to, to come back to us, you know that" Sasuke slumped to the floor intent on staying there for awhile.

Cause he doubted he could trust himself to get back to the house without breaking down "Right" Shino in spite of himself let out a chuckle, feeling a little better now that Sasuke was there and they could support each other during this difficult time.

Meanwhile all the way in Iwagakure, Sakura was finally waking up, on a rather comfy bed she noted warily, with her hands and feet unbound, confusing her, before she could delve further into her thoughts, the door opened.

And the one who'd grabbed her using the head hunter jutsu entered the room "Finally awake are you kid, sorry I was so rough with you but orders are orders and I couldn't let you escape" the man walked closer carefully.

Unsure of how she'd react "Then maybe you shouldn't have left me untied, Ninja Art: Summoning Jutsu: Red Legged Spiders, Mibojin tie him up in your webbing" Sakura growled, flying through a set of hand signs and summoning her spider.

Kitsuchi blinked as he found himself wrapped in extremely strong spider webbing as the girl escaped out the door "Guess she's as feisty as Dad heard" Kitsuchi chuckled to himself, finding himself in quite the predicament.

That was remedied a moment later as his daughter found him and cut him free "The hell happened, I saw this pink haired chick running like hell out of the house and then your all tied up in, the heck is this stuff" Kurotsuchi frowned.

"Ah that would be our captive that escaped, Tsuchikage-sama wanted to question her, but I seem to have underestimated her abilities" Kitsuchi explained, righting himself, looking slightly amused as he sensed out the girls chakra.

Followed by body flickering, he caught her around the waist easily "Calm down we're not going to hurt you" Kitsuchi soothed when she grabbed his arm and started crushing it, he thought she was going to break it anyway but then she stopped.

Peering up at him warily body tightly wound like a coil waiting to spring on the unsuspecting person "I don't trust you" she scowled, keeping as still as possible and waiting for the right moment should it look like the situation was getting worse on her.

"Of course not, this is something I can understand seeing as Iwa and Konoha aren't allies with one another" Kitsuchi nodded, slowly releasing the girl and backing away a little, giving her room and showing her that he meant what he said hopefully.

She was so jumpy to his surprise and a little punch happy as someone showed up at her side and he went flying backwards "Sorry" Sakura apologized sheepishly, her captor rubbed his face, so she headed after the guy she'd hit and healed him expertly.

Grateful that she was behaving now Kitsuchi held out his arm "Now if your can remain polite I'll take you to see Tsuchikage-sama who wishes to ask you a couple of questions" Kitsuchi eyed her sternly as she walked with him.

A couple of feet away to wary until they were stood in his Father's office and she was sat in the lone chair "You wanted to ask something of me Tsuchikage-sama" Sakura prodded wanting to get this over with.

The very short man to her surprise floated over to her "What is it about you I wonder that the Raikage see's in you to bequeath you with the title of ambassador between his and your village, not only that but the Mizukage as well" Ohnoki mused.

Eyeing the ambassador badges sewn onto the girls storage pouch, she tensed at that and covered them "I earned them by helping both villages equally in times of strife" Sakura admitted, emerald irises piercing straight through him.

"Yes I know that, but the Raikage seems especially fond you girl, why" Ohnoki scoffed, knowing how one earned an ambassadors badge but it didn't explain the Raikage's actions in the least which is what he was trying to figure out.

Sakura fiddled with her hair for a moment before shrugging "All I can tell you is that he stayed in my house for a couple of weeks when he was drawing up a treaty, I met him on a mission and helped out in his village so I don't really know why he's so fond of me" Sakura sulked.

Just as confused as the Tsuchikage, she wasn't anyone truly special, just a kunoichi that worked hard to succeed at her choice in career, "Take her back to your house and keep an eye on her Kitsuchi, I'm not finished with the girl but I can't put off the paperwork" Ohnoki ordered.

Her heart dropped into her stomach as she was led back to Kitsuchi's house and shoved back into the room she'd escaped from earlier "Damn it" Sakura cursed under her breath, especially frustrated as all her weapons were taken.

Including the ones in her hair and chakra suppression cuffs were slapped on her wrists "Don't want you escaping, sorry" Kitsuchi apologized genuinely not that it helped her situation as he shut the door and activated the barrier seal to prevent her from leaving.

Seeing as she couldn't do anything Sakura flopped listlessly down onto the bed unable to sit still and five minutes later she was up pacing back and forth trying to figure a way out of her situation just in case the Tsuchikage decided that he was going to hold her there against her will for good.

After a few minutes of thinking she tested the chakra cuffs and found that if she really concentrated she could channel chakra through a different chakra point that wasn't blocked by the cuffs, allowing her the use of chakra.

This massively relieved her as she shot a glare at the door, waited a couple of seconds then went through hand signs "Summoning Jutsu…Katsuyu-sama, please inform Tsunade-shishou that I'm fine and trying to figure a way to escape, tell her not to do anything rash as well" Sakura requested.

Glad that she'd managed even if it was one of the smallest version of Katsuyu that she'd ever summoned, she could at least contact her shishou in Leaf "Is there anyone else you wish to pass a message along to Sakura-chan" Katsuyu inquired.

"No, no, now go Katsuyu-sama I don't know how long they'll go without checking on me" Sakura shook her head, urging the slug to get going before Kitsuchi came back and she vanished in a plume of smoke in the nick of time.

As the door creaked open to reveal Kitsuchi with a plate of food "Figured you'd be hungry seeing as you haven't eaten since yesterday and it's already noon" Kitsuchi said, looking around to make sure she wasn't trying to work her way around the barrier to escape.

"You didn't put anything in it did you, like say a sedative that would put me to sleep" Sakura asked, hesitant to eat anything that was given to her by the enemy regardless of his assurance that she wasn't going to be harmed.

Kitsuchi raised a brow at her "Quite the shrewd kid aren't you, the names Kurotsuchi, this guys my dad and no we didn't put any sedative in it, here I'll show you" Kurotsuchi as she'd introduced herself took a bite of the food.

Proving that there was nothing in it when nothing happened "Thanks, but just know I still don't trust you" Sakura took the plate and after giving her thanks dug in carefully, checking for any funny taste as she ate slowly.

During this Kitsuchi took a seat in the chair while Kurotsuchi joined her on the bed "Say what was that stuff you used to tie up my Dad earlier" Kurotsuchi asked mighty curious about the girl who'd gotten the drop on her Dad.

Sakura jumped a little and scooted further away "Webbing, I'd show you but well I can't" the rosette answered vaguely flashing the cuffs at Kurotsuchi, not letting on that she could still use chakra in spite of them.

"He was a huge spider that you called Mibojin if I remember" Kitsuchi commented, Sakura cast him a sour look in response, she really was quite the interesting child if he was being honest and he knew his Father would send her home eventually.

Meanwhile all the way back in Leaf, Tsunade nearly screamed in fright as Katsuyu appeared on her desk, there were only three people who could summon the slug in question, one who was right down the hall and wouldn't send Katsuyu when she could walk here herself.

The second was herself and the last being Sakura "She's alright" Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief coming to the correct conclusion about her apprentice when Katsuyu nodded, the smallest version she'd ever seen actually.

"Yes Sakura-chan is fine, she's currently trying to find a way to escape and she asks that you don't do anything rash Tsunade-chan" Katsuyu informed, delivering the message she'd been ask to deliver to Tsunade.

Who looked a second away from breaking her brand new desk that had only been brought in a couple hours ago "Fine I'll trust her judgement for now but if she's not back within a week, I'm going through with declaring war on Iwagakure just to get her back" Tsunade scowled.

"Go back to Shikkotsu Forest Katsuyu" Tsunade ordered a moment later, trying to reign in the urge to rampage, in a plume of smoke the slug was gone leaving her to buckle down and get to work on paperwork.

Back in Iwa, Sakura finished eating her late lunch and handed the plate back to Kitsuchi "Were you lying earlier when you told Tsuchikage-sama you didn't know why the Raikage was fond of you" Kitsuchi asked on his way out the door.

"I don't lie unless I absolutely have to" Sakura scowled at him, not noticing how her gaze flickered over to the door and studied the barrier seal he had on it, keeping her inside the room but he understood what she meant.

Kurotsuchi let out a laugh "Man your hilarious kid, anyway see ya" Kurotsuchi waved as she followed her dad out and shut the door behind her, barrier activating again, Sakura sighed then searched through her pouches.

And found that she'd been left with ink, a brush and a few blank tags, more than what she needed as she began drawing a barrier deactivation seal which took up quite a chunk of her time so she had to hastily hid her things under the pillow.

When the door began creaking open again "Kid, if your really good I can take you around the village to buy some stuff to entertain you while your here" Kurotsuchi grinned as she poked her head into the guest room.

Sakura not one to refuse such an offer hopped up from the bed, hoping that Kitsuchi wouldn't snoop while she was gone "I can behave if that's what you mean" Sakura shrugged lightly, following Kurotsuchi down the hall and out of the house.

Only to be led to the market "Look I bet this would really suit you, all you have to do is get the ball to stay in place" Kurotsuchi showed off a concentration game that Sakura easily beat, to the older kunoichi's frustration since she hadn't been able to beat it.

She also wasn't interested in any other kind of game either, books however that was an entirely different matter and she snagged one on earth jutsu's, another on fire and even wind, the fourth one she grabbed was one on unique herbs to Earth Country.

Just as they were getting ready to leave having paid for the four books Kitsuchi appeared before them looking quite annoyed "Come on Dad, it's wrong to keep her cooped up and it's not like she can do anything, plus I'm just as capable of keeping an eye on her" Kurotsuchi huffed.

"Very well I'll remove the barrier on the door as well, just please don't cause trouble and let one of us know if you want to go out so that we can accompany you" Kitsuchi pleaded not wanting anything to happen to the girl.

They were treading on thin ice as it was just for kidnapping the child "Sounds reasonable" Sakura nodded carefully, clutching the four books she'd just bought to her chest, inwardly rethinking her plan a little bit.

As they returned to the house and she was allowed to stay out in the living room "By the way I don't think I caught your name" Kurotsuchi ask when the kid flipped open one of her brand new books and started reading.

Only pausing at her question "Sakura Haruno, I'm a first generation shinobi from a civilian family and I'm a Chunin" Sakura introduced, giving minimal information about herself and hoping they wouldn't ask any more questions.

"I also heard that you were called the Akumu no Hana" Kitsuchi chimed in, Sakura raised a fuscia brow in response, head tilted to the side considering the moniker she'd been branded with before letting a truly terrifying smile spread across her lips, emerald orbs gleaming dangerously.

He barely suppressed the shudder "Thanks for the info I didn't know I had a nom de guerre, do you know where it originated from" Sakura questioned curiously this being the first she heard of it, though she wasn't entirely opposed to having a moniker.

Kitsuchi mused inwardly that Sakura really was the strangest person he'd ever met "Kumogakure I believe, some of the shinobi said that you had a truly nightmarish genjutsu in your skill arsenal and they came up with the nickname" Kitsuchi shrugged.

Not truly sure himself "Probably Darui-san I'll have to whack him next time I see him, the damn moaner just because I used him as a test subject while I was crafting the genjutsu" Sakura snorted, imagining all the ways she could get back at the man, all very creative and very painful for him.

"You used an ally as your tester that's crazy kid what if he'd gotten stuck in it or something" Kurotsuchi burst out unable to believe her ears, Sakura was certifiably insane and she shrugged all uncaring like in response.

And focused her attention on her book, then three hours later Kitsuchi stood to make dinner, daughter on his heels and Sakura reluctantly closed her book to sit in silence for another hour until she was called into the kitchen to eat.

She was still wary of course as she tested for any drugs in the food but ate quickly and even helped wash up before she was ushered back to the room Kitsuchi had planned on locking her in essentially to get some rest.

Unfortunately while she was apparently going to be let out during the day, the night was a different matter as the barrier was activated but she knew that he wouldn't be checking on her again for awhile at least.

So channeled her chakra through the only unblocked chakra point, formed hand signs and summoned Katsuyu "Tsunade-chan said that if you aren't back in a week she'll be declaring war" the slug informed quietly.

Knowing better than to be loud "Shishou's the crazy one ugh..anyway give this to Naruto and Sasuke for me, tell them it's from me and not to worry, and ask them to keep Shisui-ni from doing anything stupid, Shishou knows better, Shisui-ni on the other hand.." Sakura trailed off.

While handing over a scroll that she hastily scribbled in "Also tell my parents that I'm fine, lastly this is for Shino-kun" Sakura pulled out a separate scroll that she took a little more time scribbling in wanting convey her feelings to her boyfriend.

Then she laid down as Katsuyu vanished in a plume of smoke, plugging in the nightlight and cuddling the light up panda ant, though it was a pity she could use her chakra to power it since she didn't want to tip off Kitsuchi that she could still use chakra and eventually fell asleep.

In the time it took her to go to sleep Katsuyu had arrived at the house "Katsuyu" Shisui practically shouted spotting the slugs arrival, he nearly lunged but was stopped by Itachi who approached cautiously unsure of what condition the slugs youngest summoner was in.

"From Sakura-chan, she asks that Shisui-san not do anything stupid, this letter scroll is for Naruto-san and Sasuke-san, she asks that you not worry so much, Mebuki-san, Kizashi-san she wanted me to tell you that she is fine" Katsuyu informed.

Naruto grabbed the scroll and quickly read it, letting out a sigh of relief as he did so "Here Katsuyu, Sasuke's with Shino, she would want him to know how she was doing as well" Naruto returned the letter scroll.

And Katsuyu disappeared on them heading to where Sasuke and Shino were, both of them were sparring against one another to worried to really relax right now though at her appearance they stopped and headed straight for her.

"Did Hokage-sama send you, please tell us that those bastards didn't do anything to her or I swear to every kami known to man that I will kill them" Sasuke growled, hate searing through his veins for Iwa-nin much more than he'd ever felt for his brother when he had been a rogue.

The slug shook her head "I was sent by Sakura-chan, these letters are for you, she is fine and she asks that you not worry so much" Katsuyu explained giving them the scrolls and both boys took them only to sigh in unrehearsed sync.

Especially Shino "Thank kami" Shino breathed, feeling the tiredness catch up to him, Sasuke looked equally as exhausted now as Katsuyu returned to Shikkotsu Forest, leaving them to head to bed for the night.

Morning dawned early the next day in Iwagakure and Sakura was let out of the room to join Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi for breakfast only to be carted off to speak with the Tsuchikage again immediately after.

"So ready to tell me why the Raikage is so fond of you girl" Ohnoki steepled his fingers in front of him having felt the same as his son that the child hadn't told him the truth about why Ay seemed to care for her so much.

Sakura sighed wearily "Tsuchikage-sama I really truly honestly have no clue" Sakura said, practically repeating herself at this point and extremely annoyed at the questioning, like serious why the hell did he just ask the Raikage himself instead of little ole clueless her.

Ohnoki grumbled to himself for a moment "Let me as you this then, why was the Raikage staying in your house in the first place" Ohnoki questioned hoping to get something out of the girl, even if it seemed insignificant to her.

That was something she could answer easily "At the time there was a major malfunction at our guest hotel for foreign shinobi, so Sandaime-sama placed him there" Sakura explained, remembering easily.

Clearly the Tsuchikage wasn't expecting that "You also said you met him on a mission" Ohnoki prodded, peppering the girl with more questions, even if she was proving to be a tough cookie to crack he was sure that he could crack her if he kept at it.

Her eyes dimmed a little "That's right, we had just found Tsunade-sama, he showed up injured and asked me to help heal him until his bodyguards arrived" Sakura admitted, trying not to think about all that had happened on that mission.

It was to painful really "Oh, so you're a medic, that would explain why you were helping out in his hospital" Ohnoki nodded, putting the puzzle pieces together slowly so he could figure out the whole puzzle hopefully.

"Technically Tsuchikage-sama I was there by coincidence to help out as a team from Leaf and their sensei had been attacked and taken hostage by one of Orochimaru's subordinates, though they were being watched by a bunch of idiot bandits" Sakura snorted.

Lips parting to spread into a slightly terrifying smile as she remembered said subordinate of Orochimaru was now in a jail cell at T&I for the rest of his life, wearing chakra suppression cuffs "What's so funny" Ohnoki demanded to know.

When she giggled "Just thinking about where that subordinate of Orochimaru's is now, in a jail cell in Leaf and I find it funny because it is, he should have never tried to manipulate Mifune-dono into doing his bidding" Sakura announced.

By this point Ohnoki was quite done with his questioning for the day at least "Think you can hold out for one more day Sakura-san" Kitsuchi asked the girl when he directed her back to his house, getting the feeling his Father's interest in her was quickly waning.

Which meant she would probably be going home within the next couple of days "I'll do my best but lets hope I get to go home soon, cause trust me you don't want Tsunade-sama to go on the warpath" Sakura shuddered.

Confusing Kitsuchi a little, he thought about it through lunch and even while he was making dinner before he finally asked "I know your Leaf, but the Hokage declaring war for one person is a little bit….well insane" Kitsuchi frowned.

She gave him the most deadpan look she could "If that person wasn't someone she probably views as a daughter and her apprentice, yeah I could agree with you but seeing as she cares quite a bit about me, she'd do anything to get me back" Sakura deadpanned.

It wasn't even funny that's how insane Tsunade was "How on earth did you even manage to get her to take you on as an apprentice let alone have her view you as a daughter of sorts" Kitsuchi cringed, realizing how stupid taking Sakura was now.

No wonder he'd had a profound sense of doom the moment he'd committed the act "A bet, she asked me to master chakra enhanced strength in a week, if I did she'd come home with us, along the way we ended up bonding in the most unexpected ways" Sakura smiled.

Features softening a little, despite how crazy the woman was she loved her like a second mom "Great, Gramps might have brought about our destruction" Kurotsuchi groaned, putting her head into her hands.

While Kitsuchi thought of a hopeful solution to their predicament "If I were to take those off, could you send a message with that summons of yours and tell Tsunade that you'll be back within the next few days" Kitsuchi narrowed his eyes gesturing to the cuffs as he did so.

Hoping he wasn't making a mistake seeing as he still didn't know all the girl could do "Sure I could as long as they stay off and I get my weapons back, I won't fight or try to run" Sakura threw back, negotiating a little bit.

Sensing that she was being genuine he took the chakra suppression cuffs off and put them away, Sakura flew through a set of hand signs "Summoning Jutsu…Mibojin-sama" Sakura grabbed up the huge spider and cuddled him.

To their shock and wariness "Do you need me to bite them…Sakura-sama" Mibojin offered only peering up at his summoner when she shook her head "Did they not kidnap you" he inquired wondering what was going on.

"Mibojin-sama it's alright their not going to hurt me, what I do need you to do is go to Leaf and tell Tsunade-shishou that I'm alright and that I'll be back within the next few days or so" Sakura instructed, glad that she'd practiced until she could control which summon she could summon.

Wary and un-trusting Mibojin did as asked and vanished in a plume of smoke "If your here to tell me Sakura's alright, she already sent Katsuyu two days earlier so what are you here for Mibojin" Tsunade didn't startle this time when yet another of her apprentice's summons appeared on her desk.

He didn't look happy "The enemy were watching her and I assume they don't know about that, she also told me to inform you that she'd be back within the next few days or so" Mibojin informed sitting in the spot he'd appeared.

Tsunade tapped her chin in thought "I swear, I don't how that girl gets herself out of these sorts of situations with such ease" Tsunade finally heaved a long suffering sigh, knowing she really had nothing to worry about.

"Alright Mibojin, go back and tell her that I'll be awaiting her return" Tsunade gave the spider a message and he was gone a second later back to his summoner who began cuddling him once again at his reappearance.

He was relieved to see her well and that nothing happened to her while he was gone "Lady Tsunade said that she'll be awaiting your return Sakura-sama" Mibojin delivered the message while pressed against her chest.

Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi looked disturbed "Uh you know he's a huge spider right, spiders don't equal cuddling" Kurotsuchi commented, edging back a little bit, not forgetting how he'd offered to bite them and she didn't want to find out what would happen if that did happen.

Sakura snorted lightly "Generally, but Mibojin-sama doesn't mind as long as I give him a….whoops looks like I ran through my stash..wait, nope here you go, thanks for doing such a good job for me" Sakura rifled through her pouch.

Coming up empty handed the first time before finally finding what she was looking for and giving a couple of flies to her summons "Appreciated Sakura-sama" Mibojin said, wrapping his rewards in his webbing and disappearing back to where he was summoned from.

"Your bloody weird" Kurotsuchi declared not sure what to think about the younger girl anymore, first, Sakura shrugged in response not sure what to tell the older girl, before she settled on the couch and pulled out a book to read for a bit.

Until it was time for bed, this time the barrier was not activated and she powered her light up that night, sleeping a little better than the previous night, but when Sakura woke, she knew something was going to happen and it wasn't going to be good.

Both Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi noticed her unusual tension as they walked to the Tsuchikage Tower, she was on guard for some reason, looking every which way possible, Ohnoki noticed her rigidity as well when she sat before him in a chair.

So he deigned to ask her "Girl what has you so tense" Ohnoki inquired warily, hoping that she wasn't planning anything seeing as he was going to send her home that day, he'd asked all the questions he wanted to ask anyway.

Only to get nothing really concrete out of her "Got a bad feeling" Sakura admitted looking extremely disgruntled, it was all she really knew and her instincts were always spot on, this feeling was on par with the night of the massacre.

Before their very eyes they watched her go ghostly pale, putting them on equally as high alert, just as someone burst their way into the office "A subordinate of Orochimaru's is demanding we bring the girl you captured to him" the shinobi informed.

The chair Sakura was sitting on fell over in the girls haste to stand, her face was like thunder "Let me handle this please" Sakura requested stiffly, face and eyes blank of any emotion as she stared at the Tsuchikage.

"Very well but we'll be going with you, if we capture this man, we might be able to find out more about possible bases Orochimaru has" Ohnoki relented seeing that she wouldn't back down over this and he floated after her, Kurotsuchi and Kitsuchi following behind him.

Until they reached the gates and like said someone wearing an Otogakure headband was waiting "I didn't think you'd actually bring her, pity I was hoping I could do a little killing, come on trash Orochimaru-sama is waiting" the guy was easily as tall as Kisame.

Sakura bared her teeth at him "Oh you think I'm simply going to go with you do you, guess again" the rosette clenched her fist and charged, he wasn't expecting her to be so fast clearly as she reached him in no time.

And sent him flying backwards gaining distance so the village wasn't caught up in the fight "Someone's been taking lessons from Tsunade I see" Ohnoki noted casually as the girl vanished after her opponent.

Them hurrying after "She's the Sannin's apprentice Father" Kitsuchi said by way of explanation, as it was they should just thank their lucky stars the woman trusted the girl or Tsunade would have declared war just to get Sakura back.

By the time they caught up with her, Sakura was eyeing the enemy with a calculative gleam in her eyes "Why's Orochimaru so interested in me anyway" Sakura inquired curiously wanting to get some information of her own.

It was hard not to just kill him "He's interested because you managed what no one else besides the other Legendary Sannin could, you hit him twice and lived to tell the tale" the enemy announced, and got a blank stare in return.

"Got lucky is all and that's all there is to it, as it stands I have no intention of bowing down to that bastard, to bad you won't be able to give him my sincerest regards on the matter" Sakura snarled, ending the game.

As she body flickered and when she was near she unleashed her genjutsu as he started turning, smelling her signature, it only took but a moment, then he was on the ground screaming his head off "What did you do to him" Kurotsuchi asked.

Once chakra suppression cuffs were put on him and Sakura was standing next to her "Genjutsu as much as I want to whack Darui for giving me a moniker such as Akumu no Hana, it really is an apt one, my genjutsu is one straight out of nightmares" Sakura sniffed delicately.

Still miffed "I didn't see you use hand signs though" Kitsuchi pointed out in confusion, glad the girl was no longer as tense as earlier now that the enemy after her had been taken care of and they began their trek back into the village, him carrying the Oto-nin over his shoulder.

Her smile made him want to run away "That's because I didn't Kitsuchi-san" Sakura informed, not giving away all her secrets, she wasn't that naive anymore, all she had was her politeness to go on until the person proved not to deserve it.

"Right..as fun as this has all been, your free to leave brat, Kitsuchi will escort you back to your village" Ohnoki snorted harshly leaving them behind, Sakura blinked before deciding she'd probably never understand the Tsuchikage.

But she did go back to Kitsuchi's house to get her things while the man put their newest captive in a jail cell "Okay ready to go" Kitsuchi questioned once he returned to his house and found her lounging on the couch, his daughter no where to be seen.

Sakura popped up immediately "Definitely, by the time I get back it'll have been a month since I've been home and I really do miss my parents" Sakura smiled softly, becoming free with her emotions now that the bad feeling she'd felt had been appropriately dealt with.

Kitsuchi couldn't resist as he ruffled her extremely long bangs lightly "What no boyfriend kid" Kurotsuchi teased, randomly appearing with a pack on her shoulders, her intent was clear, she wanted to go join them.

At the teasing Sakura turned bright red "You do have one, man your lucky" Kurotsuchi seemed to realize what was wrong when the girl continued to just blush on their trek to the gates until they were signed out and on their way to Leaf.

"Mm I have missed him to, quite a lot" Sakura hummed to herself quietly, hoping that Shino was doing alright, he was the other person she'd worried about doing something reckless besides Tsunade, Shisui and Sasuke.

Naruto would have understood hopefully as would have Itachi but the four aforementioned, she shook her head lightly trying not to think about it now "So how long have you been together" Kurotsuchi asked.

Since it was a safer question than asking the kid more about herself and her abilities "For probably over eight months, though I've known him since I was five, we bonded over a mutual hobby of ours" Sakura giggled.

Remembering the various bug hunting expeditions she, Shisui, Shibi and Shino had all been on together over the years until it was just her, Shibi and Shino, though she wouldn't change the past any if she could.

"Uh-huh and what would that hobby be exactly" Kurotsuchi prodded just a little frustrated, getting information out of Sakura was like pulling teeth and nigh impossible with how vague she liked being about things.

She grinned widely "Bug hunting, we both love insects, in fact I saved an entire species of wingless wasps from total extinction by finding a pair and having them breed their own colony" Sakura admitted.

Proud of that achievement not that it was very glorious it made her feel good nonetheless "Insects, that you feed to your spider summons" Kitsuchi asked, more than a little weirded out by the girl, but Sakura shook her head.

"Nope just flies, my boyfriend helps me catch them so that I'll have a stash ready to hand out for my summons" Sakura said, raising her guard now that they were further away from Iwagakure, and from before she knew that anything could happen.

Both of her reluctant companions noticed the change in her immediately "Kami that kids a basket case" Kurotsuchi whispered as Sakura got ahead of them, eyeing their surroundings warily while her presence became practically nonexistent.

Considering she was cloaking her chakra and scent now "You might be right, but all we have to do now is make sure she gets back to Leaf unharmed" Kitsuchi shrugged, unaware that Sakura could hear everything they were saying.

Though she let it go because they were right she was a basket case, she'd been mentally tortured that did all sorts of things to a person, with that they continued their trek clear up to noon, only then did they stop to eat lunch.

That Sakura cooked "Good right, my mom taught me since I was little" Sakura grinned when their eyes widened at the various flavors of the soup she'd made, only to have the wind knocked out of her a second later.

As she was snapped up by the most unexpected person "I swear if you've harmed this brat you'll regret it for the rest of your lives" Ay growled handing Sakura over to Darui, Sakura paled, elbowed Darui lightly until he got the hint.

Before stepping around the Raikage "Raikage-sama they never hurt me, relax a little please and you'll see that I'm just fine" Sakura assured carefully knowing that it was dangerous but the man did seem to listen to her at times.

For a moment it didn't seem like this was going to be one of those times until Ay lowered his gaze onto her after struggling to reign in his temper, given by his flaring nostrils "Brat your sure" Ay demanded once he gave her a look over.

"Yes, in fact Kitsuchi-san and Kurotsuchi-san were just escorting me back to Leaf" Sakura nodded with a smile, Ay looked her over a second time just to be doubly sure and didn't notice anything off.

She didn't even have bags underneath her eyes indicating she had been sleeping quite well "Kid I swear you get in and out of situations ridiculously easy sometimes" Darui snorted, relaxing when the Raikage did.

Grateful that Sakura was okay, they'd thought the worst when they'd heard after all and hadn't stayed to wait for anymore updates "Akumu no Hana" Sakura grumbled at him but it wasn't Darui that looked away but Cee.

"Really Cee-san that nicknames going to be stuck with me for the rest of my life you know" Sakura huffed at the blonde who didn't look guilty about branding her with such a moniker in the least to her frustration.

Off to the side Kitsuchi suddenly realized that he could get more information "So Raikage, what's so special about Sakura-san that you'd come for her yourself" Kitsuchi narrowed his eyes on the man, though he was relieved they weren't being attacked.

Dark eyes snapped to him "You don't know what she's been through, plus the brats gutsy and it amuses me" Ay scoffed, amused when Sakura shot him a scowl, proving his point, only gutsy people could get away with glaring at him like that.

Which was why he was so fond of the brat "Pray tell us what has the kid been through that it would warrant your protection because she wouldn't tell us and we're dying to know" Kurotsuchi scowled more than a little frustrated.

"That's for her to say, not mine, well seeing as you are fine and on your way back, my coming here to rescue you was pointless, so I'll leave these two to complete their mission and head back to my village" Ay ruffled the kids hair.

Messing it up beyond repair "Just try not to get kidnapped anymore Sakura-san" Cee glared at her before the three of them were gone off into the distance, Sakura glaring after them as she yanked her brush through her hair to fix it.

Both Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi stunned into silence as they finished eating lunch though it had long since grown cold before continuing their trek, none of them speaking until Sakura got fed up with the stares "If you have something to say, say it please" Sakura sighed.

Exhausted now "Your not going to tell us are you, what he meant I mean" Kitsuchi frowned, Sakura craned her neck around to meet his gaze for a moment, then shook her head, glancing to the sky for a second before deciding they could walk for awhile longer.

"At least tell us something Kid" Kurotsuchi pleaded hoping to appeal to the girls generous side, she knew the kid had one, seeing as the Raikage could have simply killed them, but since Sakura had intervened he hadn't which had spared their lives.

In response Sakura let out a louder sigh before swinging around and pinning them with a cold glare "Fine you want to know, when I was eight I witnessed Itachi kill his parents, mentally torture his brother and thought for over five years my best friend was dead" Sakura spat.

Temper flaring "And then when we went to find Tsunade-shishou, I learned that my friend was in fact alive, while I was back in Leaf having nightmares, he was wandering about unaware of what had happened, not to mention I got accidentally caught up in Itachi's Tsukuyomi" Sakura snapped.

Whipping back around to face the opposite direction "I can't stand the smell of blood and I have night terrors of my loved ones dying and mocking me nearly every night for not saving them" Sakura finished much calmer but still facing away from the duo.

Unsure if she would even be able to look at them now without flying off the handle for awhile at least as her heart pounded in her chest and tears pricked harshly at her eyes, she hated revealing to people that she had weaknesses, debilitating ones at that.

Suddenly there was a hand on her shoulder "Listen Sakura-san, we never meant to upset you, Raikage was right we can't even fathom what you a mere child has been through" Kitsuchi grimaced hoping this didn't come back to bite them in the ass.

Sakura kept her head forward ignoring him "I try and try to forget but it's impossible" Sakura murmured finally facing him, with tears streaking down her face and he knew there was more to it but he wasn't going to ask anymore of her.

Later on as they settled down for the night after dinner Kurotsuchi sat next to her Dad "We messed up didn't we, before she was at least friendly, since earlier she's barely said more than five words to us" Kurotsuchi commented.

Having noticed the change immediately in Sakura where as before she had been slightly friendly and willing to joke around a bit with them, now she was cold and standoffish while not being outright rude she kept her distance.

This was the result of their prodding until Sakura quite literally exploded at them, Kitsuchi didn't really have an answer for his daughter and the next morning after breakfast they were on their way again.

Until yet again someone came after Sakura "Oh for gods sake can't you people leave me the hell alone" Sakura snarled when she saw that it was that idiot Hirata, from Mist who'd been selling amputated parts out of a rundown hut just outside the village.

Apparently he'd gone rogue what with the symbol on his hitai-ate scratched through "My business was ruined because of you, Nejire's dead, so I'm going to take my revenge on you" Hirata growled, obviously insane.

Sakura shook her head "Forgive me Mizukage-sama…Summoning Jutsu, Mibojin-sama bite him" the rosette ordered not taking any more chances, as she threw her spider summons at Hirata who clearly wasn't expecting that she would fight back.

Before he could dodge Mibojin bit down on his arm "It is done" Mibojin declared as Hirata fell over dead, his venom fast acting as he scurried back to his summoner who lifted him and settled him on her shoulder.

"You just killed him" Kurotsuchi shuddered, suddenly glad that the kid didn't hate them or at the very least trusted them not to try anything, Sakura let out a long suffering sigh and set to work, making a grave for the rogue.

Her only act of kindness for the guy "Mizukage-sama would understand, he was sick in the head Kurotsuchi-san, selling amputated parts for money, if I had let him go, he probably would have ended up working under Orochimaru's command or something" Sakura grimaced.

Putting that out of her mind as soon as she thought of it, besides there was nothing she could do now since Hirata was dead by her own hand "Won't that give you more nightmares" Kitsuchi frowned, a little relieved she was speaking to them normally again.

Sakura met his gaze "Doubtful, my nightmares are mostly focused on the people I care about, this guy here was merely a disgusting creep that I didn't know all that well" Sakura pat the grave, praying that he lived a better life should he get a second chance or something.

"Since your talking again does that mean you forgive us for well being so insensitive yesterday" Kurotsuchi asked hopefully not wanting to go the remaining distance to Leaf with Sakura only speaking the minimum amount.

For a moment it seemed like Sakura was still upset "Just no more questions" Sakura relented at long last, a request they could both understand since she'd been pestered with questions since she was brought to Iwagakure.

This made the rest of their trip quite tolerable "Look Sakura-san, your Kage Mountain" Kitsuchi pointed out seeing the famous mountain visible in the distance, though they still had a bit of ways to go before they actually reached the village.

Immediately Sakura looked, relief filling her heart at seeing it and moments later they were surrounded "Give Sakura Haruno back to us or else we'll have no choice but to end your lives" one of the anbu stepped forward, long purple hair swaying.

"Cat what are you doing here especially in your condition" Sakura frowned at the woman, knowing better than to say her actual name since she was on duty, anbu code-name cat simply marched forward.

Until she was within arms reach "Retrieving you of course" Yugao winked at her through the eye slits of her mask and pulled her into a bone crushing hug, Sakura felt her eyes water just before she returned Yugao's hug, carefully of course.

"You shouldn't put yourself in danger like this Cat, thank you for coming but I'm just fine, Kitsuchi-san and Kurotsuchi-san aren't so bad and they never hurt me" Sakura smiled up at the woman though Yugao could tell Sakura was upset at her for endangering her child like this.

At her assurance the other Anbu lowered or put away their weapons, though she did recognize another one of the anbu that had come to retrieve her, Itachi had been put back in Anbu and she'd missed it to her disappointment.

Though he kept his distance for now "Right, we'll leave her with you lot then and get on our way back to Iwagakure" Kitsuchi knew that it was best to just go now, they'd already risked their lives plenty just taking Sakura after all.

"Yeah, hey you should write sometime Kid, I know we're not allies, but we could be someday hopefully" Kurotsuchi waved before the two of them were gone, Yugao ripped her mask off almost instantly.

Crushing Sakura to her again "Lets get you home Sakura, I know there are several people who want to see you" Itachi lifted his mask as the other Anbu faded into obscurity, until it was just the three of them.

Sakura couldn't help herself as she threw her arms around his waist as well, probably the first hug she'd ever initiated with the Uchiha in question "They kept telling me that they would let me go but I still thought that I was never going to get to come home" she cried softly.

Letting all the negative feelings she'd been feeling out in one violent torrent "Even if they had intended on keeping you we would have never allowed it Sakura, we would have come and got you" Itachi soothed.

Patting her back gently until she managed to stop crying and dry her eyes other than that she really was just fine and a second later they were at the gates in a flurry in black crow feathers "SAKURA" Tsunade yelled, charging them.

Enveloping the girl, her apprentice in her arms "Owww not so tight Shishou, Yugao-san already tried to crush my spine earlier" Sakura snickered but she gave the woman a hug, glad that she had so many people who loved her.

Off to the side Kakashi let out an inaudible sigh of relief "Why didn't you use the kunai Sakura" the Copy Ninja asked after a couple of minutes of just watching Sakura get her spine crushed by Tsunade who was reluctant to let the girl go.

"I wanted to, but I was also curious, turns out the Tsuchikage really just wanted to know why Raikage-sama seems to be so fond of me, plus I couldn't tip them off that I could escape any time I wanted especially with chakra suppression cuffs on me" Sakura scowled.

The Tsuchikage was one irritating old man for sure "Hold on if you were wearing chakra suppression cuffs, how did you use chakra Sakura-san" Minato caught on instantly to what she was saying.

Sakura grinned widely "Apparently chakra suppression cuffs don't block all the chakra points, only the main ones, but if one really concentrated and channeled chakra through a different chakra point you can get around the cuffs" Sakura informed.

Not guilty in the least for figuring that out, Jiraiya threw his head back laughing uproariously "You kill me Sakura but if you could figure that out so can that Yakushi bastard, so I'll get started on making cuffs that block all chakra points" Jiraiya settled after a moment.

Minato and Kakashi were similarly amused but they watched as the next person to approach Sakura was Shino "I'm never letting you out of my sight again, tomorrow when the exams start I swear I will make Chunin to go on any mission you go on" Shino swore to her.

Pulling her against him, worries settling now that he had her in his arms again safe where she'd stay no matter what he had to do "Good to have you back Sakura" Shikamaru waved at her from over Shino's shoulder.

Also among the huge group of people who'd been waiting for her to return "Thanks Shikamaru and I'm glad to be back, though I don't think I want to go on any more missions for awhile if that's okay Shishou" Sakura grimaced.

Glancing to Tsunade "I'll take you off the mission roster until your ready, plus you and Uchiha will be busy teaching academy brats soon" Tsunade relented, unwilling to let Sakura leave the village again if this was going to happen nearly every time.

"Yugao and I will see you in the hospital soon for another ultrasound" Hayate said when Sakura linked hands with Shino, her intent was clear, get home to her parents, Shisui, Sasuke and Naruto, the ones most important to her.

She met his gaze for a moment and nodded "I'll be there" Sakura assured, getting excited about Yugao's baby again as she started down the streets to her house, Shino at her side and Itachi tailing them at a short distance.

Her eyes watered at the sight of her house alarming Shino before she took a deep breath and opened the door "Sakura-chan…SAKURA-CHAN'S HOME" Naruto lunged at her with a happy yell, wrapping her up in a hug, poor Shino got caught in it as well.

His yelling however prompted the others in the house to run to the foyer, Shisui didn't care that she was in the midst of a hug with Naruto he simply wrapped his arms around the three of them "No more missions" Shisui grumbled, hating that he hadn't been able to do anything.

Then he was shoved out the way, Naruto quickly released Sakura and Shino took a large step back "My baby girl please tell us nothing happened, have you been crying do I need to beat those bastards up for you" Mebuki hugged her only daughter.

Only to hear a snap as she popped Sakura's back "Well now I know where my strength comes from, nothing happened, yes I cried but I'm okay and no, I don't think they'll try anything like this again" Sakura smiled slightly before assuring her mother that she was okay.

Kizashi was next though he was a lot gentler with his daughter than his wife had been "Shisui-san is right however, no more missions for awhile at least until we're sure no one else is going to be coming after you to kidnap you and hold you in their village" Kizashi stared at her sternly.

Not that he had to really worry "Trust me Dad, Shisui-ni I'm done with missions for awhile, plus I'm sorta looking forward to helping teach academy students" Sakura declared, eyeing the only person who hadn't greeted her yet.

Once her eyes met his however he came forward slowly "Stop scaring me, I can't lose you alright" Sasuke scowled at her, reaching out to hug her but he stopped midway and shot a look to Shino who nodded knowing he needed this.

Then she was pulled against Sasuke, his head on hers, since he was tall enough to do so now and spilled his previously unshed tears until he couldn't cry anymore, just then Sakura's stomach rumbled and they were all ushered into the kitchen to eat and later on Sakura happily crawled into her own bed to go to sleep.